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Utah Beach, Normandy France

Utah, commonly known as Utah Beach, was the code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944 (D-Day), during World War II. The westernmost of the five code-named landing beaches in Normandy, Utah is on the Cotentin Peninsula, west of the mouths of the Douve and Vire rivers. Amphibious landings at Utah were undertaken by United States Army troops, with sea transport, mine sweeping, and a naval bombardment force provided by the United States Navy and Coast Guard as well as elements from the British, Dutch and other Allied navies.

The 4th Infantry Division landed 21,000 troops on Utah at the cost of only 197 casualties. Airborne troops arriving by parachute and glider numbered an additional 14,000 men, with 2,500 casualties. Around 700 men were lost in engineering units, 70th Tank Battalion, and seaborne vessels sunk by the enemy. German losses are unknown. Cherbourg was captured on June 26, but by this time the Germans had destroyed the port facilities, which were not brought back into full operation until September.

Images of Utah Beach

Utah Beach Museum

The Museum at the Utah Beach landing is internationally recognised as one of the first places for remembrance and commemoration of The Battle of Normandy. Built on the very beach where the first American troops landed on June 6, 1944, the Utah Beach Museum recounts the story of D-Day in 10 sequences, from the preparation of the landing, to the final outcome and success. This comprehensive chronological journey immerses visitors in the history of the landing through a rich collection of objects, vehicles, materials, and oral histories. Admire an original B26 bomber, one of only six remaining examples of this airplane still in existence worldwide

http://www.utah-beach.com

Monuments

MILESTONE 00

This milestone marks the start of Liberty Road, commemorating the victorious route of the Allied forces from the beaches of Normandy to Bastogne in Belgium. Inaugurated in 1947, Liberty Road is the first monument in France to honor America’s role in the liberation of Europe.

U.S. NAVY MONUMENT

Built by the Naval Order, the US Navy Monument is the only monument dedicated to the US Navy outside the United States. American sculptor Steven Spears created a monument with three powerful symbols: leadership, sailors, and combat units. The names of the American ship that took part in Operation Overlord are inscribed on the base so that visitors, and especially families of veterans and their children can touch the names of their fathers’ or grandfathers’ boats. Facing the sea, the Monument was inaugurated on September 27, 2008

THE 90TH INFANTRY DIVISION MONUMENT

The monument is constructed of granite from Flossenbürg, a German concentration camp in Bavaria liberated by the Division near the end of the war : a symbolic bridge between D-Day and the last days of the war in Europe. The Monument honors the perseverance of the men of the Division. The Monument was initially dedicated in 1969 then again in 1987 after its renovation.

FEDERAL MONUMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

This monument honors all American troops who participated at Utah Beach. The plot of land where the monument is erected was donated to the United States in perpetuity by the village of Sainte Marie du Mont. The monument was dedicated on June 6, 1984 by General Lawston Collins in the presence of the seven Allied heads of state during the ceremonies commemorating the 40th anniversary of D-Day.

DANISH MONUMENT

This monument is voluntarily located a few hundred yards from Utah Beach, as it pays homage to the 800 Danish sailors who, although they did not land on the beaches, contributed greatly to the success of the D-Day landings. It is the only monument in France that honors the Danish contribution to the liberation of Europe. The monument is situated on the D913, between Utah Beach and Sainte Marie du Mont.

Information courtesy of http://www.utah-beach.com

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